We’ve got vital clues on Kashmir militants’ moves: police

Jammu, July 14 (IANS) The Jammu and Kashmir police claim to have obtained “vital” clues on the movement of Hizbul Mujahadeen militants in the state with the arrest of the second most important man in the outfit after its Pakistan-based supreme commander Syed Salahauddin. Abdul Rashid Bhat, who also goes by the name of Mansoor Bhai, “is being questioned and has given some vital information. We are trying to corroborate that,” a police officer told IANS.

“The details would be made public at an appropriate time,” he added.

Bhat, who belongs to Doda district, was arrested Sunday evening from the Chingus area of Rajouri district on specific information provided about his movements. An AK-47 rifle and some ammunition were recovered from him, the police said.

The police believe the militant leader has inside details about Hizbul Mujahadeen operations in Kashmir. His information, the police believe, would be crucial in breaking the overground network of the militant outfit.

Bhat was a top commander and would call the shots at the behest of Salahuddin, senior superintendent of police Rajesh Yadava told IANS.

Bhat was in Pakistan for many years operating as Salahuddin’s second-in-command and had returned about a year ago on a fake passport, first travelling to Dhaka before landing in India, the police said.

Hizbul Mujahideen is said to be the strongest militant outfit in Kashmir and its cadres operate all over the state, particularly in the Muslim-dominated Valley, and in the Doda, Rajouri, Poonch and Udhampur districts of the Jammu region.